news The Lakes Crisis and Resource Center is planning a premier event for this summer. But they need the public’s help with some quality donations first.
On Aug. 16, the crisis center will be hosting its first Lakes Area Charity Auction.
“We’re really hoping this can become the premier auction...
Detroit Lakes, 56501

Detroit Lakes Minnesota 511 Washington Avenue 56501

2014-06-01 09:00:38

The Lakes Crisis and Resource Center is planning a premier event for this summer. But they need the public’s help with some quality donations first.

Advertisement

Advertisement

On Aug. 16, the crisis center will be hosting its first Lakes Area Charity Auction.

“We’re really hoping this can become the premier auction for our area,” Board Member Beth Leighton said. “If you want something really high quality, really nice, this is the place to come to.”

A couple of the items that have already been donated for the auction include a grand piano and a dining room set. Leighton said the committee is working to make the event “really something pretty special for the lakes area.”

But, they need some more donations first.

Leighton said the idea stemmed from a committee meeting, where members were talking about an event that could pull in a larger amount of money for the organization but be a lower maintenance event for the staff.

“We’re just trying to really do something that is new and different. There’s such a tremendous shift in reusing, repurposing. We thought, what a great idea to tap into not only Detroit Lakes, Perham, Frazee, Vergas, Fergus Falls because the crisis center works with all these communities, and say ‘hey, what do you have that’s a finer quality item that is sitting in your spare bedroom, in your basement, in your garage that isn’t being used that can be a tax-deductible item for you and a way to generate funds for the crisis center.’”

Bachmann Auction-eers is the auctioneer for the Lakes Area Charity Auction event on Aug. 16, beginning at 9 a.m. The location is yet to be determined.

Proceeds will go directly to the crisis center to provide services for all clients.

“They’ve just had a need for people to know more about the shelter,” Leighton said. For instance, “I don’t have enough formula for my kid and I only have this much money in my checking account,” she said.

Other programs include Positive Connections, where parents and their children who have been placed in foster care meet for visits. There is also the advocate piece, helping victims of violence.

“Really, all the funds are going to all the different services the crisis center provides,” she said.

Leighton said she remembers attending some auctions with her parents when she was a kid, and the crisis center wants to bring that old-fashioned feel to this auction as well.

“You’ve got to have snow cones and mini donuts,” she said with a laugh.

There will also be a raffle at the August event, which includes two roundtrip plane tickets to anywhere, 50 pounds of meat and other items. “We’re hoping to just have a real variety of items for people to bid on,” she said.

The drop-off location for donated, high quality items is the Jack Chivers Realty parking lot on Highway 59 South (Daggett Truck Lines donated a trailer to keep the items secure).

Crisis center volunteers will be manning the donation site June 1-2, July 6-7 and Aug. 3-4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for people to drop off items.

If anyone has any questions about whether or not their items would be suitable for the auction, they can call the crisis center at 847-8572 and ask for Anna or Jan.

Others on the committee, besides Leighton, that can answer questions about donations or the event include Delrae Chivers, Nancy Erickson, Kathy Carlson, Linda Mickelson and Deanna Kavanaugh.

“We’re just so excited to generate some additional funds for the crisis center,” Leighton said.